Joshua Pressman

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

Alex Lily, an integral backing force for the prominent pop duo the Bird and the Bee, has gone solo. Her 2008 debut Capades is a beauteous amalgam of conscientious tunes that makes you think as much as it makes you bop. And she wants you to live in the swirling, whimsical world that is her head.

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

Tonight Social Distortion (LAist Review) front man Mike Ness will be concluding an extensive sojourn at the El Rey Theatre. The Hotel Café is hosting the second night of a three-date "ho-ho-tel" holiday extravaganza, featuring singer-songwriter types like Rocco Deluca (LAist Review). Pehrspace will be throwing the first Pehr Spacecraft Faire, which integrates great pop music and fun crafts. And to further substantiate the claim that KROQ is suspended in the late 90s, the Offspring (LAist Review), Stone Temple Pilots and AFI will be headlining Almost Acoustic Christmas (LAist Review, #2) at the Gibson Amphitheatre. But no one in their right mind would pass up the Second Annual Christmas Sweater Festival at the Echoplex. This year the impressive bill features local indie favorites like the Deadly Syndrome (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4) the Happy Hollows (LAist Review, #2), the Pity Party (LAist Review, #2, #3), Castledoor (LAist Review, #2) and Amnion (LAist Review). It's almost too good to be true.

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

Tonight Australian-American singer-songwriter Rick Springfield (LAist Review) will be performing at Club Nokia. Social Distortion (LAist Review) front man Mike Ness is closing out his extensive stay at the El Rey Theatre. Grammy Award winners Los Lobos will be rocking out at the House of Blues Sunset. Local musician/producer extraordinaire Jon Brion (LAist Review) is slated to jam with friends at the Largo at the Coronet. The Hotel Café will kick off their three-night "ho-ho-tel" holiday extravaganza with an impressive array of singer-songwriter types, like Meiko (LAist Review, #2, #3, #4), Greg Laswell (LAist Interview, Review, #2, #3) and Gary Jules. And, lastly, LAist favorites Radars to the Sky (LAist Review, #2, #3) are slated to celebrate the release of their forthcoming full-length at Spaceland with Swedish husband/wife act Wildbirds and Peacedrums. But we recommend doing whatever it takes to get into the Troubadour. Phantom Planet, who have struggled endlessly with their musical identity since the untimely departure of Jason Schwartzman (LAist Review), will be playing their last show ever!

Tonight Brazilian electro pop sensation CSS will be stopping through the Echoplex with Portland-based goobers Natalie Portman's Shaved Head. LA local Murs (LAist Interview) is poised to flow at the El Rey Theatre. Singer-songwriter Miranda Lee Richards will be gracing the stage at the Hotel Café. The Watkins Family (LAist Review) is slated to put on a special Christmas edition of their Family Hour at Largo at the Coronet. And, lastly, the gruff indie rock outfit known as Low vs Diamond (LAist Review) will be letting loose at the Troubadour with their Seattle friends Barcelona. But considering the "drastic" change in climate and the nature of the season, we strongly suggest heading over to Pershing Square for Spaceland On Ice. What better way to ring in the winter than with LA's own bluesy rock duo Rumspringa (LAist Review), who will be performing for free!

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

December is list-making season. And for us music journalists, it is a time to look back on scores of albums, reflect upon the music and recapitulate our favorites. But this year, just like the last, we took this opportunity to flip that tradition upside down, asking the artists that influenced us what influenced them. The prompt was not limited to albums that came out in 2008.

Tonight LA has its fair share of shows. Club Nokia in Downtown will play host to Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders, who will be accompanied by prominent indie rockers like Bloc Party (LAist Review, #2), CSS and Black Kids. LA locals Obi Best (LAist Review), a pop songstress who sings back-up vocals for the Bird and the Bee, and El Ten Eleven (LAist Review), a purely instrumental duo, are slated to perform at the Hotel Café. NY-based shoegazers Longwave will be rocking out at the Troubadour, ushering in their first record in over three years. And, lastly, electronic mastermind Daedelus is headlining the 10th Beat Invitational at the Airliner. But we strongly suggest seeing English psych-pop singer-songwriter Pop Levi (LAist Review), who will be sauntering onstage with bravado at Spaceland.